Scooter



Jan. 7, 1936. A Q VOGT Y 2,027,254

` SCOOTER Filed Ooi. 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheetl 1 Patented `Ian. 7, Q

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful` improvements in scooters, and has particular relation to the steering mechanism thereof.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a scooter as set forth having certain novel features of construction to permit the person riding thereon to effectively steer `the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scooter as set forth having a novelly constructed steering mechanism permitting pivoting of the front or forward rollers or wheels thereof with respect to the scooter.

e Another object of the invention is to provide a scooter of the character set forth having a novelly constructed steering mechanism including a double bearing for the spindle or pin of the front roller assembly.-V I

Another object of the invention is to provide a scooter of the character set forth having a novelly constructed steering mechanism pivotally mounted axially of the scooter. l

Other features and details of the invention and the construction thereof are set forth hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings thereof, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a View in side elevation of a scooter constructed according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary end View from the front of the scooter showing the novel Fig.` 5 isa view in side elevation of the disclosure in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a view in section on line 6 6, Fig. 5. Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a scooter made in accordance with the present invention comprises a platform or foot rest I, which may be of any desired configuration but l which is shownin the accompanying drawings as beingrelatively narrow at the front or forward `end thereof and having its sides diverging rearl cerns the novelly constructed steering mechanism The particular feature of .the invention` con-V i `which is mounted at the Aopposite or forward end of the -foot rest I and includes a spindle 5 mount- (Cl. 28o-87.5)

ed co-axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of said foot rest in a bracket 6 formed to include a substantially circular sleeve portion 6a arranged to embrace said spindle 5 and support the same, and the parallel portions 6b of the bracket 5 6v overlie the adjacent upper surface portions of the foot rest I. Top and bottom cover plates 1 and 8 are provided and together with the bracket `l5 are secured together and to the foot rest by means of rivets 9 which extend therethrough. In the present instance spindle 5l is of sufficient length so that the same will project a substantial distance beyond the forward end of the foot rest. A bracket I having vertical flanges II at the ends thereof provided with aligned openings is rotatably mounted upon the forward end of. the spindle intermediate the front end face` of the foot rest I and a washer I2 which is secured in place by means of a bolt I3 threaded internally at the outerfend of said spindle as at I4.

I One leg I5 of an angle plate I6 is permanently secured to the under side of the bracket I0 adjacent the foot rest end thereof by means of rivets or bolts I1. The other leg I8 of the angle element I6 forms an acute angle with the previously mentioned leg I5 and is disposed at a forwardly inclined angle with respect to the said foot rest.

` A bracket I9 including upper and lower parallel arms and 2| have their connecting web 22 secured to the forward face of the leg I8 of the angle I B by any suitable means such as rivets "or bolts 23. The arms 2i) and 2I are provided with aligned apertures and constitute bearings for a spindle 24 which is rotatably mounted therein. The forward portion of the lower web 2I of the bracket I9 is upturned as at 2 Ia to form atongue, the purpose for which will be set forth in detail hereinafter. An axle supporting bracket 25 and a plate 26 are rigidly connected to the lower end of the spindle 24 for rotation therewith in the bracket I3. A washer 2'I is interposed between the lower arm 2I of the bracket I9 and `the axle supporting bracket 25, and the spindle is retained in operative relation with respect to said bracket 25 by means of a cotter pin 46. In the present instance the forward portion of the plate 26 is bent upwardly as at 26a to form a tongue similar to that formed at 2 Ia. As shown in the drawings, a spring 29 is coiled several times about the spindle 24 intermediate the arms` 20 and 2I of the bracket I9, the ends 30 and 30a of said spring 23 extending forwardly from, said lspindle 24 and engaging opposite end edges of the tongues `Zlatand 26a. respectively for thepurpose of resisting rotation of the spindle 55 .extends vertically from the upper surface of the4 pivotally mounted bracket Ill and is secured thereto by means of an angle bracket 31, one leg 38 of which is permanently secured to the said bracket III by rivets 39 and the other or vertical leg @il thereof is permanently secured to the forward wall of the support 36 by rivets or bolts 4I. In the present instance a handle or steering lever 42 is secured in the support 36 by a bolt or other suitable means d3 which extends through an aperture M in said support and engages the said steering lever 42.

j In accordance with the present invention by pivotally mounting the bracket I on the spindle and 'arranging the bracket I9 at an angle with respect to the plane of the foot rest I, the

instant a person riding on the scooter actuates the lever 2 tothe right or left in an arc transverselyof the longitudinal axis of the scooter, this pivoting the bracket I0 Von spindle 5, the spindle 2e will be pivotedin its bracket I8 and thev axle 32 and wheels 34 will be disposed at an iangle with respect to the transverse position in which they are normally maintained by means of the spring 29, the axle 32 and wheels 34 remaining in the Vturned position only so long as the lever 42 is held in a position to the right or left with respect to the longitudinal axis of the scooter, and when said lever is returned partially or all the way to its neutral or central position, the spring 29 will function to return the axle 3 2 and wheels 313 to their normal transverse position, or positions corresponding to the degree of displacement laterally of the lever 42 respectively.

For the purpose of limiting the extent of pivot of the bracket I0 about the spindle 5 it is desirable to mount a stop plate 45 on the upper surface of the foot rest I at its forward end, the plate 55 having a projecting portion 45a which Y lies in the path of rotation of the bracket I0 for engagement thereby.

While one embodiment of the invention has been set forth for the purpose of description it is not intended that the same be principally limited thereto but that modications and changes may be made in the construction thereof where within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

' 1. Ina scooter including a foot rest, a bearing pivotally mounted at the forward end of said foot rest and disposed at a rearwardly inclined angle with respect thereto, a spindle rotatably mounted in said bearing, an axle-supporting bracket connected to said spindle and arranged for rotation Y therewith, and means embracing the spindle and engaging the bearing and said bracketl tending to Vward end of said foot rest and disposed at a rearwardly inclined angle Vwithrespect4 thereto, a. spindle rotatably mounted in said bearings, an

axle supporting bracket mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, and means on said spindle engaging one of said bearings tending to resist rotation of the spindle.

3. In a scooter including a foot rest, spaced 5 parallel bearings pivotally mounted at the forward end of said foot rest and disposed at a rearwardly inclined angle with respect thereto, a spindle rotatably mounted in said bearings, an axle supporting bracket mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, and means embracing the spindle and engaging one of the bearings and said bracket to resist rotation of the latter and the spindle.

4. In a scooter including a foot rest, a spindle mounted longitudinally of said foot rest and extending beyond the front end thereof, a bearing pivotally supported from said spindle and disposed at a rearwardly inclined angle with respect tothe foot rest, a second spindle rotatably mounted in saidbearing, an axle supporting bracket mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, and means associated with the -second spindle and engaging said axle-supporting bracket tend- Y mentioned bracket.

6. In a scooter including a foot rest, a spindle mounted longitudinally of said'foot rest and extending beyond the front end thereof, a bracket rotatably mounted on said spindle, a bearing supported from said bracket, a second spindle rotatably mounted in said bearing, an axle support- 40 ing bracket mountedV on said spindle for rotation therewith, and means associated with said foot rest for engagement by the rst mentioned bracket, to resist rotation thereof.

7. In a scooter including a foot rest, a spindle mounted longitudinally of said foot rest and extending beyond the front end thereof, a bracket rotatably mounted on said spindle, spaced parallel bearings supported from said bracket and dis- ,posed at a rearwardlyinclined angle with respect to the foot rest, a second spindle rotatably Ymounted in said bearings, an axle supporting bracket mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, and'means associated with the second spindle engaging one vof said bearings and the rst mentioned bracket tending to resist rotation of the latter and said spindle.

8. In a scooter including a foot rest, a spindle mounted longitudinally of said foot rest and extending beyond the front end thereof, a bracket rotatably mounted on said spindle, spaced parallel bearingssupportedfrom said bracket and disposed at a v rearwardly inclined angle with respect, to the foot rest, a second spindle rotatably mounted in said bearings, an axle-supporting bracket mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, means associated with the second spindle and engaging the axle-supporting bracket tending to resist rotation thereof, and said spindle a'nd means associated with the foot rest limiting 70 rotation of the first mentioned bracket.

p 9g In a scooter including a foot rest, a spindle l mounted longitudinally of said foot rest and extending beyond the front end thereof, a bracket rotatably mounted on' said spindle, spaced paral-` ,75

I 2,027,254 lel bearings supported from said bracket and disposed at a rearwardly inclined angle with respect to the foot rest, a second spindle rotatably mounted in said bearings, an axle supporting bracket mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, means associated with the second spindle tending to resist rotation thereof, means associated with the foot rest limiting rotation of the rst mentioned bracket, and means for pivoting said first mentioned bracket.

10. In a scooter including a foot rest, a spindle mounted longitudinally of said foot rest and extending beyond the front end thereof, a bracket rotatably mounted on said spindle, spaced parallel bearings supported from said bracket, a second spindle rotatably mounted in said bearings', an

` axle-supporting bracket mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, means associated with the second spindle and engaging the axle supporting bracket tending to resist rotation thereof, and means associated with the foot rest limiting rota= tion of the first mentioned bracket.

11. In a scooter including a foot rest, a spindle mounted longitudinally of said foot rest and extending beyond the front end thereof, a bracket rotatably mounted on said spindle, spaced parallel bearings supported from said bracket, a second spindle rotatably mounted in said bearings, an axle supporting bracket mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, means associated with the second spindle tending to resist rotation thereof, means associated with the foot rest limiting rotation of the first mentioned bracket, and means for pivoting said rst mentioned bracket.

CLARENCE VOGT. 

